Guidelines for the Solar Eclipse

We have year-round schools and early college high schools that will be in session during the peak of the eclipse, which will occur between 2:33 and 2:44 p.m.

Student safety is the top priority of our school district. That is why, while we are very excited about the learning opportunities that the solar eclipse on Aug. 21 will bring, we also are taking precautionary measures to ensure all of our students are safe from any harmful effects that could occur.

We encourage our schools to take advantage of this rare opportunity as a great and memorable learning experience for students. But our principals and teachers are fully aware, as with any instructional or athletic activity, that student safety comes first.

For students who are in school at this time, we have established the following guidelines:

Students may be allowed to go outdoors under staff supervision to view the eclipse with official eclipse glasses or student/staff engineered solar eclipse viewers (pinhole cameras), or may watch the live NASA eclipse broadcast.

Schools that plan to provide opportunities to view the eclipse should ensure that written parental permission is on file for each participating student prior to the event. We have provided schools with a form for this purpose.

For students who have been dismissed prior to the eclipse occurring (this will affect 12 schools):

Schools will announce that students should exercise caution during their trips home or to other after-school activities.

Students will be instructed to avoid looking at the sun, and to have appropriate viewing glasses or other instruments if they do so.

Our transportation department is instructing bus drivers to ensure that they reiterate safety precautions with their riders.

Bus drivers will employ headlights and other appropriate lights as necessary, just as they operate during the early morning hours or during inclement weather.

We are asking schools to refer to NASA's How to View the Solar Eclipse Safely guidelines and other points of reference to ensure that our students are safe while they are learning about the eclipse - while having fun!